Dr Sylvia McLain on women in science

Wednesday, 3 October 2018

Dr Sylvia McLain, Stipendiary Lecturer in Biochemistry at St Peter’s and Research Fellow in the Department of Biochemistry, is one of three female researchers featured in a BBC news story focusing on women in science.

In the piece, Sylvia, whose research focuses on understanding the physics of life, in particular the ways in which biological processes take place in water, recalls her journey as a scientist, and talks about her research and experiences as a female scientist.

The story follows in the wake of the controversial comments made by Prof Alessandro Strumia concerning the role played by women in physics.

Asked for her thoughts on these comments, Sylvia said, "I think he's weak and feeling threatened. In nature, some oak trees kill off small oak trees so they can grow bigger and stronger".